Bottle capping machine



Nov. 29, 193111. L E, PAGAN ET AL 2,138,271

BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE Filed June 7, 1957 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 ons t/W/zufer and 2 JAW 19;# l nl 311 f, 2 M.//// www@ 1 1.11

Nov. 29, 1938. L. E. PAGAN ET Al. Zwm

BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE Filed June 7, 1937 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 1go/ZKM Nov. 29, 1938. L, Ef FAGAN ET AL 2,138,271

BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE I FiledJune 7, 1957 7 sheets-sheet 3 Y Inungrs 7 FMS Z770 Q72 Nov. 29, 1938. L E, PAGAN ET AL 2,138,271

BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE Filed June 7, 1957 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 KBB op? Nov. 29, 1938. E, FAGAN E1- AL Y 2,138,271

BOTTLE-CAPPING MACHINE yFiled June '7, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 29, 1938. E PAGAN E -l- AL BOTTLE GAPPING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June '7, 1957 .ia-l..

Nov. 29, 1938. L. E. PAGAN ET'AL BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June -7, 1957 Patented n1Nov. 29, 1938 BGTTLE CAlPlNG MACHINE Lewis E. Fagan, Chicago, and Albert B. Mojonnier,

Park Ridge, Ill., assignors to Moionnier Bros. Co., a corporation of Illinois v Application June 7, 1937, Seria1No.`-146,809

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to bottle capping machines, and more particularly to machines of this class which apply closing disks to milk bottles, although in some instances the novel features may have a broader application than this. However, since the invention was conceived and developed in connection with the cappingjof milk bottles, the same will be illustrated and described in that connection.

The present invention is an improvement upon the capper construction disclosed in our prior United States Patent Number 1,992,693, granted February 26, 1935.

In capping machines of the kind in view, a rock shaft carries a cap advancing blade which delivers the caps one by one from'a stack into a capping position where they are applied to the bottles. The shaft is rocked through the agency of a rocker arm and a cam. Spring means serve to restore the shaft to its initial position.

One object of the present invention is to provide actuating mechanism of this kind wherein friction among the several parts will be avoided as much as possible. More particularly it is desired (l) to reduce the engagements of the rocker arm with its operating cam to a minimum, (2) to avoid all sliding engagements of the rocker arm cam wheel upon the surface of the operating cam, and (3) to remove all ram body friction due to spring pressure.

To this end we employ novel catch mechanism which seizes the rocker arm in an outer position and holds it there out of engagement with the cam during certain periods of travel and especi` ally at times when the rocker arm receives vertical movements,`as it does when the machine is in operation. The cam periodically brings the rocker arm to its extremeA position and there it isseized and held beyond the control of the cam until the time of its Vrelease arrives, whereupon it comes again under the control of the cam. f

Another object is to provide a suitable spring arrangement for the rock shaft which will enable the cap advancing blade to stop always in a certain position and still allow the rocker arm to advance far enough-to properly cooperate with the latch mechanism without shifting the blade. This is very important since the blade point and two other points or projections on the capper frame provide a three-point support for the caps in the cap magazine.

Another object is totprovide the cap-engaging end of the cap advancing blade with a novel construction such that the blade will handle and properly advance any one of a number of dierent caps, such as plain disks. single anddouble tabbed caps, caps having tabs secured thereto by wire staples, and the like.

f Another object is to provide a novel ram structure so thatthe various caps may be properly ap'- 5 plied and at the same time a. standard basic construction may be adopted which will require but slight alteration to suit the ram to caps of dilIerent kinds and sizes.

The novel features and advantages of the in- 10 tion being indicated by the line I I of Flg.3; 2o

Fig. 2 is a similar vertical section through the lower portion of the machine, the section being indicated by the line 2 2 of Fig.4; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the upper portion ofthe machine showing particularly the actuating cam and varl- 25 ous capper elements associated with it, the point of bottle feed and delivery being indicated dia'- grammatically by the associated wheels and guides at the left of the ligure; Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on a plane indicated by the line o 4 4 of Fig. 2;'Fig. 5 is a vertical section through one of the vertically movable capper frames and associated parts, showing clearly the cap magazine and the ram, the plane of section being indicated by the line 5 5 of' Fig. 6; Fig. 6 is a. horizontal sectional view through the same capper frame and associated parts, the plane of section being indicated by the line 8 6 oi Fig. 5; Fig. 'I is a plan view of the lower portion of one of the vertically movable capper frames in assoo ciation with the cap actuating bladeassigned to that frame in its withdrawn or back position. the view being along the plane of separation between the lower frame members and indicated by the line and associated arrows 1 1 of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 u is a perspective view of a cap actuating blade member; Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of that portion of the previously illustrated capperframe which lies above the separating line previously mentioned and. the direction of view is that indicated by the line and associated arrows 9 9 oi Fig. 5; Fig. l0 is a sectional view of the capengaging end of the cap applying blade, the section being vertical and on a plane indicated by the line I0 i0 of Figi 7; Flg.-11 is an elevation 55 of a cap-applying mechanism associated with one arm of the supporting head, said arm being shown in section taken on a plane indicated by the line of Fig. 1; Figs. 12 and 13 are perspective views of cooperating members forming part of the catch mechanism; Figs. 14 to 19 inclusive illustrate the capper parts, and especially the parts of the catch mechanism, in various operating positions, Fig. 14 showing the same at the time, shortly following the delivery of a bottle to the associated lifter, when the rocker arm is nearing its extreme position wherein it is about to be seized and held by the catch mechanism, the latch pin passing upward by reason of engagement with the inclined face of the associated stop, Fig. 15 showing the parts with the catch pin advanced beyond the stop and down behind the same, the actuating cam and cam roller. still being in engagement, Fig. 16 showing the parts just a little farther advanced, the catch pin having moved into engagement with` the abrupt square face of the stop and the cam roller having cleared the cam face, Fig. 17 showing the parts still later with the cam and cam roller clearance increased and the auxiliary stop dropped down into blocking position beneath the catch pin, the vertically movablecapper frame having been raised by the lifter acting through the carried bottle at rst by the application of low pressure air and then later by the `application of high pressure air, the cam roller meanwhile remaining clear of the cam, Fig. 18 `showing the parts just as the catch pin being blocked by the auxiliary stop is about to pass the end of the beveled stop, the cam roller and cam still remaining clear of each other, and the cam roller having descended to its low position in consequence of the descent of the vertically movable capper frame, and Fig. 19 showing the parts after the rocker arm is freed from the catch mechanism and is again under the control of the cam; Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the catchmechanism members of Figs. 12 and 13 in assembled relation; and Fig. 21 is a cross-section of the central column, the plane of section being taken on a plane indicated by the line 2|-2| of Fig. 1. Throughout these views like characters refer to like parts.

It may be pointed out at the beginningV that the bottle capper disclosed in the drawingsvconsists essentially of a base A, an upright column or standard B, a rotary bottle carrier Cjournaled to rotate about said column as a center, a series of pneumatically actuated bottle lifters D positioned upon the carrier, a rotary supporting head E near the top of the column, a series of vertically movable bottle centering frames F carried by theV supporting head E and alined .with the lifters D respectively,v cap actuating mechanism G associated with each capper frame F, a central cam H near the top of the column cooperating with the actuating mechanism G and adjusting mechanism K located beneath the base A and operating to shift the various parts at the top of the f column B.

The essential features of the invention reside in and about the vertically movable capper frames F, the cam H and the cooperating actuating mechanism G. Here are found the novel catch mechanism, the novel return spring arrangement. the specially shaped cap advancing blade point, the three-point suspension for the caps in the cap magazine, the novel ram construction, and other features with which the invention is more particularly concerned.

In operation, the bottles are fed one by one upon the lifters D as the latter present themselves at a common feed point. The carrier C which supports the bottle lifters D is directly connected to the supporting head E and the llatter directly supports the capper heads F. Consequently as the carrier rotates all these parts rotate with it. During the travel of these parts, the bottles are successively raised and lowered. When raised they raise the vertically movable capper frames F and the caps are applied. Following the capping operations the bottle lifters are successively lowered and brought to a delivery point where the capped bottles are discharged from the machine.

In case a particular lifter is not supplied with a bottle when it reaches the feed point, then there is no upward movement of the associated capper frame and the result is that the feeding mechanism G remains latched and held out of action until the carrier has made another revolution. Upon the completion of such revolution,vif now a bottle is present upon the associated lifter then the bottle will lift the head and the operation will be regular as just indicated.

Having pointed out the essential partsof the machine and its general operation, attention may be directed to the details ofthe several parts.

The base A includes` a pedestal 25 mounted upon a flat plate-like support 26 which forms part of the frame of the machine, otherportions of the frame including the upright flanges 21, 2l anda table 29. In the embodiment of the invention which has been put into service the frame parts just mentioned are parts of a large frame which supports the capper and in conjunction with it, a filler. The latter, however, is not part of the present invention and is therefore not illustrated.

The pedestal 25 has a peripheral flange 30 and securing bolts 3| pass through this flange and on down through openings in the frame plate 26. Nuts 32 serve to securely hold the parts together. The openings in the plate 26 through which the bolts 3| pass are large enough to allow of some relative movement between the pedestal 25 and the plate 26 so that the former may be properly centered with reference to other n parts carried by the frame of the machine. For the purpose of providing these adjustments, a plurality of sets of screws 33 are employed. The screws of the illustrated set extend through threaded openings in the flanges 21 and 28 respectively and operatively engage opposite sides of the flange 3.0. By letting` off on one or other of the pair of adjusting screws 33 and tightening up its companion it is possible to shift the pedestal 25 in any desired direction upon the plate 28, within the limits of the openings through which the bolts 3| pass. It will be apparent that ordinarily there will be at least two pairs of adjusting screws 3l and associated parts in order to give a proper centering of the pedestal 25 uponr the plate 23, although but one such pair is illustrated. When the pedestal 25 is properly positioned upon the plate 26, then the nuts 32 may be screwed 11p tight upon the bolts 3| and thus the base partsy willbe securely held in place. The center of the base pedestal 25 is bored out or otherwise provided with a central opening for receiving the parts of the vertical column B.

The column B includes a stationary tubula standard 34 which is fitted in the vertical bore in the pedestal 25 and secured therein in any suitable way as by a feather 35 held in place by a set screw 36. At its lower end the standard I( iii) has a bearing ring 31 which is secured to the standard and serves as. a bearing for the adjusting rod 38 which extends upward through the standard 34 and carries the supportinghead E and other parts in a way which will be presently pointed out. A similar bearing ring is located at the top of the rod 38. The rod 38 is free to reciprocate in the tube 34 but is held against rotation by a plurality of feathers 39 carried by the rod, being held in each instance by screws 4I, and operating in suitable slots in the bearing ring 40 which is secured to the inside of the tubular standard 34. These bearing rings 31 and 4D are preferably given ak press fit vin the standard.

, The upper end of the tube 34 is also provided with an outer bearing ring 42. This ring is similarly firmly secured to the fixed tube 34 and serves as a bearing for the rotary tubular member 43 which connects the supporting head E and the rotating base or carrier C so that the two rotate together, although connection is provided by which the head E may be raised and lowered with reference to the standard 34 and the connecting tube 43. The carrier C is a round casting provided near its periphery with a series of spaced posts 44 which carry the parts of the lifters D. The body 45 of the carrier is centrally apertured so as to pass freely over the standard 34 of the column B. The central bore of the carrier also has a bearing ring 45 which has a close fit with the body 45 and rotates with the carrier C about the standard 34. 'I'he central bore of the carrier C is also slightly increased in diameter at its upper end so as to receive the lower end of the tubular member 43. A key 41 between the flange 48 of the carrier and the tube 43 serves to hold the parts together against relative rotation. The key 41 is in turn held in place by a set screw 49. The carrier C has a peripheral ange or petticoat 50 which overlaps an upturned flange 5I on plate 29 and the upper end of the upright flange 21 of the base.

The posts 44 of the carrier are provided with passages52 for supplying compressed air to the lifters and exhausting the same therefrom. The passages 52 communicate with inclined passages 53 in the body 45 of the carrier and these inclined passages in turn communicate with vertical passages or ports 54 which terminate at the under annular bearing surface of the carrier. This surface rests upon a bearing ring 55 which is supported by the base pedestal 25 at a single bearing point furnished by the upper end of the supporting pin 5S. This pin enters a vertical opening in the base A and may be adjusted up and down by a vertical adjusting screw 51 which is threaded through a threaded opening in the base A and thus forms a bearing or support for the lower end of the pin 55. 'I'his pin is the sole support for the bearing ring 55 and the movable base or carrier C supported by it. The screw bolt 51 is locked in position by a lock nut 5I.

The under bearing surface of the carrier, in which surface the ports 54terminate, and the upper bearing surface on the upper side of the bearing ring 55, are in effect the valve faces of a distributing valve which controls the air supplied to and exhausted from the several lifters D.

The one point support for the bearing member 55 and the parts supported by it, is most effective in maintaining good contact between these valve faces at all times. To insure such good contact, the pipes by which the compressed air is supplied, namely pipes and 5i, are connected at vtheir lower ends to pieces of hose 32 and 53 respectively. The upper ends of the pipes are firmly screwed into openings in projections 54, 55 extending outward from the bearing ring 55. Such connections maybe made directly or through a union and nipple as shown in the case of pipe 6I in Fig. 2. By this construction it is obvious that the pipes 50, 5I will rise and fall with the bearing ring 55, all relative motion being taken up by the hose connections. Thus, there is a continued maintenance of the requisite close engagement between the bearing surfaces on the carrier C and the ring 55.

It is by means of the pin 58 that -the height of the carrier-C, and hence the height of the lifters D, is varied. This variation in height enables the machine lto be properly adjusted relative to the cOnveyors which bring bottles to the machineand carry them away from it.

The upper bearing surface of the bearing ring 55, which may be designated generally B8, is provided with an annular groove which is divided by plugs 81, 68 and 58, into three operating segments having ports 10, 1I and 12. The port 10 is at the end of a passage 13 which leads to the low pressure pipe connection 50, 52. In like manner, port 1| is associated with a passage 14 `which is in communication with the high pressure air supply pipe connection 6|', 53. The third port- 12 is similarly associated with a passage or outlet 15 which leads through the wall of the bearing member 55 to atmosphere.

In putting the invention into practice, we have used for our low pressure air a pressure of from eight to ten pounds per square inch. For the high pressure air, we have used a pressure varying from about fifteen pounds to twenty-five pounds per square inch. The low pressure is sufficient to bring the capper head and bottle together, and the highv pressure is used to bring about a complete setting of the cap against the shoulder in the neck of the bottle. These operations are the same as fully explained in our aforesaid Patent No.V 1,992,693 and need not be particularly explained.

A circular toothed ring gear- 18 is secured to the under side of the carrier C by machine screws 11 or other suitable means, and this gear is driven through the agencyof a cooperating gear wheel 18 upon a vertical shaft 19 suitably journaled in an-adjacent portion ofthe frame plate 23. The rotation of the 'carrier is continuous as long as the wheel 18 is in operation, the main bearing of the carrier being the bearing ring 55 previously mentioned. The latter is relatively fixed and responds only to forces which tend to improve its engagement with the bearing face of the carrier.

In this connection, it should be noted that the under face of the member 55 is provided with a radial groove 80 and the head at the upper end of the bearing pin 55 is cut away to provide a feather 8i on its upper face. This feather 8| is of sumcient size to 't snugly in the groove 80. The groove enables the member 55 to be moved more or less without dislodging or placing any particular strain on the pin 55. 0n the other hand, the feather 3| on the end of the pin.58, by engaging in the groove 80, holds the bearing member 55 against any possible rotation.

The pneumatically actuated lifters D,- as previously pointed out, are spaced around the periphery of the carrier C and include the upstanding posts 44. In the interior construction they are like the lifters disclosed in our prior Patent No. l,- 966,889, granted July 1'1, 1934. However, we have fully illustrated said construction and the same may now be described.

Each lifter D includes in addition to its post 44, also a head 82 having a skirt or cylindrical wall 83 which passes down around the post 44. I'he connected head 82 and skirt 83 form an open ended cylinder and by providing anair-tight, or substantially air-tight, sliding connection between the skirt 83 and the top of the post 44, it is possible to elevate the cylinder by admitting compressed air into the space beneath the head 82.

The passage through which air is thus admitted is, in the case of each lifter D, the passage 52 previously mentioned.

The substantially air-tight connection between the cylinder wall and the top of the post is provided by a` cup packing 84 which is secured between retaining rings 85 and -86A by machine screws 81 which. pass down through the parts into threaded openings in the top of the post 44. The packing 84 is upturned and ts snugly against the interior surface of the cylinder wall 83. 'I'he packing 84 is preferably a synthetic rubber packing having good wearing properties.

From what has been said, it will be seen that the cylinder may be easily elevated by the admission of air through the passage 52. Now,'in order to return the cylinder to its lowermost position and thus clear out the cylinder when an exhaust position is reached, we employ a return spring and dash pot construction. To this end, the head 82 is connected to the upper end of a rod 88. This rod is seated in a recess formed Within an annular flange 89 extending downward from the head 82. A pin 90 connects the piston rod 88 to the head 82, the connection being made by passing the pin through the flange 89 and a small transverse hole drilled through the upper end of the rod. The rod 88 is held against rotation by means of two keys 9| which extend into longitudinal slots 92 cut in opposite sides of the rod. The keys 9| are secured to the upper end of a tube 93 and the latter is suitably secured to the post 44. Thus the head is held against rotation but is allowed to move up and down. The upper end of the tube 93 has a thickened annular portion 94 which is notched to receive the keys 9| and the latter are firmly secured inplace by rivets 95 or like suitable retaining means.

'I'he tube 93 extends down into a central well 96 formed in the post 44. It is preferably secured in place by a pivot point set screw 91 which is threaded through a threaded opening in the post 44 and passes at its inner end into a hole in the wall of the tube 93. The screw 91 is preferably provided with a cap nut 98. Between the cap nut 98 and wall of the post 44 is a gasket 91 which being set into a recess in the face of the post has a tight iit with the same and so prevents leakage of air. 'I'he downward pull upon the head 82 is furnished by a coiled compression spring 99 which bears at its upper end against the under side of the overhanging thickened portion 94 of the tube 93 and at its lower end upon the upper side of a dash pot piston which is secured to the lower end of the rod 88. The piston |00 may fit loosely in the well 98 and perform its proper dash pot functions. When in service, the well 96 is filled with oil or other retarding liquid to a suitable level. 'I'he expansive force of the spring 99 is such that when actuating compressed air is removed from the cylindrical space below the head s2, then the springwiu bring the parts downward and leave the head in substantial engagement with the top of the post 44. Each head 82 is preferably provided with a wear plate |.0| suitably secured in place.

'I'he rotary supporting head E, as previously pointed out, is secured to the connecting tube 43 so as to rotate with the carrier C. On the other hand, it is mounted so as to slide up and down with reference to the connecting sleeve 43, this up and down movement being brought about by raising and lowering the adjusting rod 38. The connection between the head E and the tube 43 is provided by locating a plurality of longitudinal slots |02 on the inside of the hub |03 and using with them a like member of feathers or keys |04 secured to the tube 43 by suitable means such as the screws |05.

The connection between the supporting head E and the adjusting rod 38 includes a sleeve |08 which is flanged at itslower end and such flange secured to the top of the head E by machine screws |01 or other suitable means; The sleeve |06 has an apertured head |08 at its upper end and the rod 38 extends through the aperture in this head. A cooperating coupling member |09 takes the form of a stout ring apertured to t the rod 38. The latter is reduced a little in diameter and thus a shoulder is provided against which the lower inner edge of the member |09 abuts and thus the member is supported. Above the member |09 is an end member which comprises a sleeve ||2, a flange ||3 and an outer skirt ||5. The sleeve ||2 embraces the rod 38 and the sleeve ts over and enclosesthe upperend of the sleeve |08 secured to the head E. Nuts ||6 threaded upon the upper end of the rod 38, which is threaded for the purpose, press the members |09 and rmly down into clamping position on oppositesides ofthe apertured head. |08 associated with the sleeve |08. A suitable key ||1 in keyways in the rod 38 and member hold the parts against rotary displacement relative to each other. Thus the cam carrying parts are secured against rotary movement while being free for vertical adjustment. 0n the other hand the tube 43 which connects the carrier C and the head E is free to rotate by reason of the head |08 being free to rotate. 'Ihe latter is separated from adjacent 'parts by washers ||8 but there is no pressure in the assembly which interferes with the rotation mentioned.

The cam H is provided by a downwardly extending flange |2| positioned at the periphery of a substantially horizontal plate |22 of the heart shaped outline shown in Fig. 3. The outer surface of the ange |2| constitutes the cam face which the cam rollers of the several actuating mechanisms G engage in the operation of the machine.

The supporting head E is provided with a number of arms |23 which terminate at their outer ends in bosses |24 which arejprovided with vertical openings into which the stems |25 of associated cap applying rams |26 are adapted to extend. By giving the upper end of each ram a taper and fitting the same into a tapered hole in the associated arm |23 and employing a nut |21 on the threaded upper end of the ram stem, together with an associated washer |28, the ram may be firmly secured to the arm. In order to position the ram accurately with reference to the arm, the two should be fixed against rotation when assembled. To this end the wall of the opening in which the stem |25 iits is provided with a slot |29.- Cooperating with this slot is a key |30 secured to the stem |25. The key |30 comprises an outer portion |33' which cooperates with the slot |29. It also comprises a base |301 which is seated in an arcuate pocket formed in the stem |25. A screw |3|l passes through the key |30 into threaded engagement with the stem |25 andv thus holds the key in place.

The plunger or ram |25 in each instance carries the vertically movable capper trame F. vThis frame or head includes an upper casing I 3| and a lower bottle centering member |32. These two parts are connected together in any suitable way as by means of the machine screws |33. The frame F is held in place upon the ram |25 by a transverse pin |34 which is passed through a slot |35 in the frame member |3| into an opening in the ram. The pin is removable and by removing it from the ram when the irame is in its uppermost position it willbe easy to withdraw the frame iromthe ram also. The movement of the frame will bring the pin into the lower end of the slot. When the parts are thus positioned the pin may be readily removed. The separation of the parts in the way indicated will enable them'to be readily and thoroughly cleaned. While the pin is in the slot the frame may be moved up and down on the ram within the limits of the slot.

'I'he member |3| includes not only the. cylindrical passage |31 in which the ram |23 is adaptf ed to move, but it also inclues a` cap magazine |33 in which the caps |33 are stacked. As clearly shown, the stack of caps |33 occupies a position parallel to that occupied by the piston |25.

The lower frame member |32 is recessed on its under side so as to provide a sort of pocket |40 into which the upper end of the bottle will nt snugly. A further opening |4| through the member |32 provides a passage for the ram in its downward travel. The upper portion of this opening |4| is beveled slightly as indicated at |42 and thus provides a throat for the cap being applied. Thus, when the capper frame F is moved upward by the associated lifter, when a bottle is properly positioned, then the slightly converging wall |42 will cause the cap, such as the cap |43 of Fig. 5, to be moved down through the opening |4| with the result that the cap will be contracted in diameter and when it passes into the top oi the bottle and is pressed home upon the shoulder thereof.' it will spring outward into ilrm andtight engagement with the interior oi the bottle neck above the shoulder and thus form a tight seal.

Now, when it comes to positioning the caps one by one beneath the associated plunger, we make use of the cap actuating blade member |44'- This blade member is an important element of the cap actuating mechanism G, previously mentioned. The blade member includes an arm |45 which extends outward from a boss |45 and at its outer end it carries the cap engaging blade |41 which has a somewhat extended arcuate upper surface so that it may underlie the stack of caps when in its most advanced position and hold them thus elevated until it has passed on its return stroke far enough to allow them to. fall in position so that it will upon its next advance engage only the edge of the lowermost cap to advance it, while leaving the others intact in the capV magazine. This action will be better understood when it is realized that the member |32 is provided on its upper surface with a depression |43 which is arcuate and extends between the magazine chamber |33 and the capper chamber |31. It is in thepasageway formed in part by this depression |43 that the blade |41 travels in its to and `fro oscillations. The channell for the blade is not formed wholly by the depression |43 in the lmember |32 but part of it is formed by a cooperating depression |43 formed in the member |3I. These arcuate depressions are clearly shown in Figs. '1 and 9, and from them it will be understood that when the members |3| and |32 are properly assembled, there will be a proper resulting channel for the movements of the cap actuating blade |41. It will be apparent that when the forward edge oi the cap engaging blade |41 has passed to the left oi the cap magazine |33, as the parts are viewed in Figs. 6 and '7, then the entire stack of caps will rest upon overhanging frame poitions |50 and |5| of the member |32 and upon the ypoint of the blade |41, the three supports thus provided constituting a three-point support for the lowermost cap of the stack, and consequently of the stack. This three-pointfeature isshown most clearly perhaps in Fig. 7.

These projections |51) and |5| and they point of the blade |41 constitute the sole support of the caps when the blade |41 is in its left-most position, as the parts are viewed in Figs. 6 and '1. With the parts inthis position, the lowermost cap, as, say, the cap |52 of Fig. 10, will rest upon the ledges |53 and against the shoulders |54 formed adjacent thereto in readiness to be advanced by the next forward movement of the blade |41. Just back of the shoulders |54 are the inclined planes |55. '111e purpose of these beveled or inclined surfaces is to cause the caps to separate just as in our prior Patent No. 1,992,693. By inspecting Fig. it will be seen that as the blade |41 moves toward the right under the stack of caps, the lowermost cap |52 will be advancedv while the ones above it will be. held by the walls of the magazine |33. As av result the cap just above the cap |52 will slide up over the bevels |55 and separate from the cap |52, leaving the latter free to advance while the remaining caps are separated from it and lett behind in the magazine.

As the blade still further advances, this forward edge will push the cap along they channel formed by the mating depressions |43 and |49, while the upper surface of the blade |41 will ride freely under the next cap oi the stack, that is to say, the cap immediately above the one being fadvanced by the blade. In this way. the upper face of the blade holds the stack elevated and maintains it in this condition all through the advvance travel of the blade and then until the blade has entirely recededrto its starting point beyond the cap magazine. 'Ihe withdrawal oi the blade |41 will then allow the stack column to descend upon the ledges |53 and remain there in readiness for the next like operation.

While considering the operation oi' the blade |41 in advancing a cap, it should be noted that what'has been said will apply equally well to aplane disk cap, a single tabbed cap or a double tabbed cap, and that whether the tabs be stapled or made integralwith the body of the cap. In Fig. 10, the caps,illustrated in dotted lines, are simple disk caps but tabbed caps may be utilized as well. As shown particularly in Fig. 6, the

magazine |33 is shaped so as to take in plain disks or single or double tabbed caps.V The point of the blade |41 is also still further specially shaped and this is done principally to better take care oi the tabs'on the caps and the possible protrusion oi the wires forming the staples where such are employed. Thus, the space or recess |55 at the rear of and extending between the ledges |53 and the shoulders |54 is provided to receive cap tabs. Similarly, the inclined face |51 just forward of the ledges |53 serves to guide the wires of the staples upward. In other words, the incline |51 slides freely under the wires of the caps and greatly improves. the action of the blade or flipper |41. Without the bevel |51 there"Y is greater danger of the blade engaging the wire of a. wire-stitched cap and thereupon feeding it too far or in some other improper way.

Now, in order to give the blade |41 its proper movements back and forth in the channel between the cap magazine and the ram chamber, we provide a rock shaft |50 and journal the same in bearings formed in lateral extensions |5| and 52 forming part of the vertically movable capper frame F. The lower end of the shaft |50 receives the boss |45 of the blade member |41 and the two are ilrmly secured together by any suitable means as by the pin |53. I'he upper portion of the shaft |50 has the rocker arm |54 journaled upon it. I'he inner end of the arm is divided into two bearing arms |55 and |55 which provide two journals for the supporting rock shaft |50. Thus, the rocker arm is journaled on the rock shaft |50 and the rock shaft in turn is journaled upon the capper frame F. The boss |45 of the blade member by acting against the member |52 holds the rock shaft against upward displacement relative to the frame F and a castellated nut |51 and associated cotter pin |55 just above the bearing arm |41 serve a like purpose relative to downward displacement of the rock shaft. j

The requisite rocking movements are brought about by spring pressures and oscillations of the rocker arm. l

The crank arm |54 terminates at its outer end in a vertically disposed sleeve 1|. 'I'he upper end of the sleeve opening |12 is closed by a bearing pin |13 which is fixed in place in the sleeve by a set screw |14 or other suitable means. On the bearing pin |53 is journaled an anti-friction roller |15. 'I'his roller is held in place by a suitable nut |15 which is threaded `upon the upper end of the bearing pin |13 and held in place by a cotter pin |11. It is the anti-friction roller |15 which engages the cam face on the ange |2| of the cam member H. 'Ihe sleeve |1I also carries a catch pin |15 which is passed through an opening at the lower end of the sleeve chamber |12 and is limited in its downward movement by a collar |19 which engages the oor of the chamber 12. A coiled spring |50 acts between the under side of the bearing pin |13 and the upper side of the catch pin |18. In order to center the spring |50, these pins are respectively provided with reduced ends which pass into the coiled ends of the spring.

We also employ upon the rock shaft |50 two coiled springs |5| and |52. These are torsion springs and cooperate with the rocker arm 54 and the cap advancing blade |41. The blade is moved to its advanced position by the spring |52 and to its rearmost position by the rocker arm |54 acting against this spring. The spring |5| is in a sense supplemental to the spring |52 and comes into play only to bring about a proper operation of the rocker arm without interfering with the proper operation of the cap advancing blade.

When the blade member |41 reaches its foremost position, a stop |53 on the under side of the blade engages with a portion |54 of the frame member |32 to limit the forward movement of the blade. The opposite movement of the blade is limited by the engagement of a stop projection |55 on the with a stop projection |55 on the frame member |32.

The springs |5| and |52 are coiled about the shaft |50 and are arranged so as to be given more or less tension. In the case of the spring |5| the lower end |51 is turned downward and passes into an opening in the bearing arm |55 of the crank |54. The opposite end of the spring |5| is provided with an upturned end |55 which passes into a vertical openingin an adjustable collar |59 which rides upon the shaft |50. A pin cooperates with holes |9| in the collar |59 and with a single hole through the shaft |50 to bring about adjustments of the spring. It will be obvious that when the spring is wound up and the pin |90 is inserted into. the shaft through the appropriate collar opening |9|, the spring will be held under tension and there will be a spring action between the rocker arm |54 and the shaft |50. 'I'he several holes mit oi a number of adjustments.

When it comes to the spring |52, a similar arrangement is provided. In this instance the upper end of the spring |52 is provided with an upturned end |93 which enters a suitable opening in the under side of the projection |5| of the frame F. Similarly the end |94 of the spring |52 enters an opening in thevcollar |92. Just as before, the collar is provided with a series of openings |95 which are intended to cooperate with a transverse opening through the shaft |50. A pin |95 is used in securing the collar |92 to the shaft after the spring |52 has been wound up so as to give it proper tension. Any desired adjustment may be had.

As stated the blade member normally rests in advanced position with the stop members |53 and |54 in engagement. It is 'the spring |52 which brings about this normal positioning of the blade. Since the rock shaft is flxedly secured to the blade member it will be obvious that the latter is only yieldingly held in its advanced position with the stops |53 and |54 in engagement. This positioning of the blade is brought about wholly by the spring |52. The spring |52 is weaker than the spring |5| and consequently that pressure upon the rocker arm |54 which is necessary to rock the shaft will not tend to move spring 5| with reference to the shaft but will instead move the shaft with reference to the frame F, thereby placing the spring |52 under greater tension. It is the action of the rocker arm |54 underI the control of thecam which moves the blade from its normal yielding position, just described, to its back position wherein the stops 55 and |55 en'- gage each other.

Now in the operation of the blade and the rocker arm it is necessary for the rocker arm to pass through a greater arc than the blade. In other words, after the rocker arm has moved the rock shaft so as to bring the stops |55 and |55 into engagement then the rocker arm must be free to move a short distance further in order that it may properly be engaged by the catch mechanism without disturbing the position of the blade. It is at the time when this additional movement is given to th rocker arm that the spring |5|, the stronger sp ing of the two, comes into play.

Thus. it will be clear that on the rearward blade coming into contact increased tension in the springs |02 and-|0| in succession. While tension is being added to spring |02 the blade |41 is traveling rearward.

As soon as it is stopped, the rocker .arm begins to act upon the spring |0| and places tension in' it. which tension serves to bring about proper action with the catch mechanism as we shall se presently.

Before passing from our consideration of the 'actuating mechanisms G, it will'be necessary to consider the catch mechanism. There is one such mechanism Vfor each rocker arm. .These mechanisms are brought into play when the arms are moved severally to their advanced positions. Eachcatch mechanism seizes the associated arm and holds it in its 'extreme position and thus frees the cam roller |15 from engagement with the cam face at those times when the capper frame F is moved vertically in the operations'of capping the bottle.

The elements of.the catch mechanism are secured, respectively, to the vertically movable capper frame F and to a ilxed member, which does not move with this frame. In theembodiment' illustrated, each arm |20 is provided with an extension |00. To this extension is pivoted an irregularly shaped Astop member 200 which cooperates with a main stop member 20| flxedly secured to the frame F. Thus, the main stop member 20| and the supplemental stop member 200 are secured to supports which move relatively to each -other. 'I'he main stop member 20| has a cylindrical shank` 202 at its lower end which enters an `opening in a projection 203 extending from `the frame F near its upper end. A set screw 204 secures the member 20| in iixed position upon the frame member I3 I. The projection |09 is in substantial vertical alinement with Vthe projection 203 and consequently the two members 200 and 20| are brought into intimate relation with each other and at proper times with the catch pin |10 carried by the rocker arm |04. related as illustrated in Fig. 20. The main stop 20| has a main body 205 and a laterally extending blade 205. The upper ends of the body 205 and blade 200 are beveled as indicated at 201.`

It will be noted that both the main stop 20| and the rocker arm |54 which carries the catch pin |10 are carried by the same part, viz., the vertically movable capper Fand therefore move together.

The rocker arm, of course, has an additional lateral movement and it will be clear from an in spection of Figs. 14 and l5 that, asthe rocker arm is moved toward the left, as the parts are shown in those ngures, the end of thecatch pin |10 will contact the inclined face. 201 oi' the main stop 205, and, as the arm advances, the pin will be forced into the sleeve |1| against the pressure of the spring |00. It will also be obv served that when the pin |10 has cleared the end of the inclined surface 201 it will no longer l remain'in its withdrawn position, but will be moved outward by the spring into ka position such as shown in Fig. l5, where it lies alongside of the abrupt face 200 on the blade of the member 2 05.

It will also be clear that, if the cam H move the cam roller |15 far enough to bring the catch pin |10 into the position illustrated in Fig. 15then, as the cam face recedes, the pin |10 will move'into contact with the abruptface 200,

Y the position illustrated in Fig. 16andvwill be held there as long as the stop 200 blocks it. Indeed, in operation, this separation of the cam roller |10 and the face of the cam H continues The parts are' during that period wherein the capper frame F is moved upward ancl` downward in the capping operation. Consequently, the cam roller |15is kept from vertically sliding over the face of the cam. In certain prior structures, ythe cam roller was forced over the cam face while the two were in contact. The new construction avoids this.

Now the auxiliary cam member 200 comes into play to block the outward movement of the catch pin |18 at certain times in the operation of the mechanism. During the first advance movements of the catch pih, however, the auxiliary stop 200 is notiin position to block the downward movement of the catch pin |10. As clearly shown,y

the movement of the pin |10 over thev inclined face 201 is accompanied by the pin acting upon the auxiliary member 200 totilt it in the manner illustrated inV Fig. 15. This is brought about by the pin pressing against a pair of uprights 200 upon the member 200, which action causes the member 200 to tilt about its pivot 2|0 ragainst the pull of gravity upon the weighted v'end 2| I. The auxiliary stop 200 remains thus tilted until there has been a vertical movement of the capping frame F. When the latter takes place then the rocker arm |64 and the parts connected with it are moved upwardly into the position illustrated in Fig.` 1'?. This upward movement of these parts Upon a downward movement ofthe frame F with its associated parts, followingthe position of Fig. 17, the pin |10 will encounter thezface 2|2 of the auxiliary stop and will be ,forced inward against its spring' |00. Thus, the spring will be compressed and the pin l|10 moved upward relative to the main stop 20|. When the parts are brought into their fully descended position, then the pin |10 will clear the upper end of the stop 20| and be free to slip over the same into a position in which it will be free oi' the stop but under the control of the cam. The cam is so shaped that its face will approach the cam roller |15 very closely and be in readinessto receive it as soon as it is `freed from the catch mechanism, so that there may be no hammer blow ofthe cam vroller against the face of the cam. The point at which the catch pin is about to slip over the main stop is illustrated in Fig.;v 18 and, as there shown, the cam face is near the cam roller. As clearly shown, the cam roller |15 is so near the cam face that the passing ,of the roller into engagement with the cam face will be with little shock to the parts. and that shock will be taken up by the cushioning member 2|3. 'Ihis member 2|0 is composed of rubberor other resilient material. A portion of the cam rim |2| is removed and a space made for the member 2|3` which has its outer roller engaging face formed as a continuation of the metal face I2 Suitable pins 2|4 hold the vcushion Y 2|3 in place. These pins pass through openings in the rubber block into tightiitting engagement with the body of the cam |22. Heads on the pins 2 |4vsverv'e to holdQtheblock 2 I3 from slipping off the pins.

As soon as thecatch pin has moved out of the control of the main stop of the catch mechanism then the rocker arm will be wholly under the con trol of the cam face and the Aparts will occupy some such position as illustrated in Fig. 19.

The relation of the cam surface upon the cam H to'the various actuating mechanisms G as the carrier C' 'and the head E are rotated is shown quite clearly in Fig. 3. In that view the mechanisms G rotate clock-wise as indicated by the associated arrow. For convenience inconsidering this relation, the six positions illustrated in Fig. 3 are designated a, b, c, d, e and f. In the same figure radial lines z, y and z indicate the points at which the compressed air is supplied to the bottle lifters D. The radial lines I and 'y indicate the range through which the low pressure air is applied. The radial lines y and z indicate the range through which the high air pressure is applied. 'Ihe rest of the circle indicates the range through which the lifter pistons have their supply ducts connected to atmosphere. These radial lines rc, y and z, if transferred to Fig 4, would pass through the plugs 61, 88 and 68, respectively.

As the parts are shown in Fig. 3, the actuating mechanisms G occupy diierent positions. In this figure the last of the bottles received by the machine would be that upon the lifter D at the a position. This is true because the conveyer wheel 2|5 coacts with the xed guide 2|3 to deliver incoming bottles to the lifters.' In like manner the last bottle upon the machine would beV that upon the lifter at the f position.` When the bottle reaches this position the conveyer wheel 2|1 coacts with the guide 2 8 to deliver the bottle from the machine.

The conveyer for bringing the bottles to-the machine and delivering the same therefrom may take rany desired form. Thatv disclosed in our prior Patent No. 1,992,693 will be satisfactory for the purpose. Only a portion of the conveyer'is shown herein, that portion designated 219. It is the portion which receives the bottles after they leave the machine. A similar portion for conveying the bottles to the machine may be employed. When such is the case the guide 2I6 is associated with the incoming portion and the guide 2| 8 is associated with the outgoing portion.

When we come to consider the various positions of the parts of the actuating mechanisms G in connection with the cam, all as shown in Fig. 3, we need to keep in mind the catch mechanism, the cap advancing blade and the application of air to shift the capper frame to apply the caps. Ii' we start with the position of a particular mechanism G at the time when the parts are in the d position and pass clock-wise around the cam we may i'ollow theA operations of the various parts of the mechanism without diiculty. At

the time the parts are in the d position the cam roller |15 has just come into engagement with the came face. This is a position which closely follows intime of operation, the position illustrated in Fig. 18. In the latter ilgure the cam roller has not yet contacted with the cam` face. In position "d the cam roller is shown in contact with the cam face. It will be noted that the cam has a protruding portion 222 on the right hand as the parts are viewed in Fig. 3, a somewhat similar protruding portion 223 on the: left, an intermediate portion 224 of considerable length lying between the protruding portions 222 andv 223 on the one side and nallya re-entrant portion 225 also between the protruding portions 222 and 223 but on the other side of the cam from the portion 224 As soon as the cam roller |15 has come into engagement with the protruding portion 222 the arm |64 lwill be -free of the catch mechanism and will be under the sole control of the cam face. In

At this time the cap advancing blade |41 will be vin its retracted position, namely, the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7. As before noted the stops and |86 wil'l be in engagement at this time.

As we pass from position d to position e the cam roller will travel over the receding portion of the cam face and will approach the greatest recession at the point 225. As the cam roller thus travels, the catch mechanism will remain as before and the blade |41 will gradually advance under spring action so as to carry a cap into the ram chamber. During all of this time the associated lifter D will be in its lowest position because its port 54 will be directly connected to atmosphere through the passage 15 (see Fig. 4).

In'the present instance, in passing from position e to position ,f, the cam roller |15 passes out of engagement with thecam face and at this time the blade |41 is in its most advanced position. This is the position illustrated in Fig. 5. At this time the lifter D remains down and the catch mechanism remains'in its normal position.

In passing from position f to position "a the cam roller |15 passes out of the re-entrant portion 225 of the cam and ascends the adjacent cam surface. As it ascends, it rocks the associated shaft |60 and gradually moves the bladey |41 toward its withdrawn position. The movement between these positions, however, does not carry the blade backward the full extent but such further movement is left for subsequent treatment.

In passing from position "a to position b" the cam roller |15 approaches the protruding portion or hump 223 and in so doing continues the outward movement of the `arm |64 and nally brings the blade |41 into its'fully retracted position, that is to say, into the position illustrated in Fig. 7 wherein the stops |85 and |86 are in engagement. This engagement of the stops occurs a litle before'the cam roller reaches the high spot in the hump 223. When the latter position is reached4 then, asl before pointed out, the second-spring, namely, spring |8|, is put under tension and the rocker arm |64 is advanced to catch-engaging position. Inother words, as the roller |15 passes up over the hump the catch-pin |18 rides overl the inclined face 201 of the stop 205 in the manner indicated in Fig. 14. When the peak Aoi the hump is reached by the cam roller then the parts are in the position indicated in Fig. 15, the catch pin |18 having passed over the inclined face 201l of the stop 205 and droppeddown behind the abrupt face 208 of the stop. While the roller engages the peak, the pin |18 is held far enough away'from the stop 205 to allow the pin toprotrude under the action of its spring |80.

As soon asy the cam |15 passes a little beyond the hump, that is to say, a little beyond the position illustrated in Fig. 15, then the cam face recedes and the rocker arm moves back under the action of its spring |8| until the pin |18 strikes the abrupt face ofthe stop 205, as in'dicated in Fig. 16. When this position of the parts is reached, the 'rocker arm is held against further return and the blade isheld in its fully retracted position. From this point on, the cam roller |15 is no longer in engagement with the cam face but the latter gradually recedes from the former leaving the parts in some such' position as illustrated in Fig. 16.

This traverse of the mechanism G is accompanied with a like travel of the associated lifter D. As before pointed' out, the port 54 of this nection causes the associated lifter D to rise. I!

there is a bottle on the lifter at this time, then the top of the bottle will engage the under side of the capper frame F and be in readiness for a further movement to apply the cap. The latter movement will occur when the particular mechanism passes into the range oi the high pressure air between vthe radial lines "y and "z. At this time the cap which was positioned beneath the ram in the manner shown by the cap |43 of Fig. 5 will be in readiness for application to the bo'ttle and as soon as the high pressure air is applied the lifter will be forced upward and the bottle carried by itwill move the capper frame F still. further upward and the cap will be passed over the beveled surface |42 and through the throat |4| into its :dnal position in the bottle. The ram |26 will apply pressure to the cap and bring about its proper positioning in the top of the bottle. Allof this time, the arm |34 will be held in its extreme position by the catch mechanism and the capper blade will be fully retracted.

In passing from position c" to position d", the port 54 of the lifter D will be moved into registry with the atmospheric connection and thereupon the capper frame F will descendl to its nor-l mal position. At the time this descent of the capper frame and its associated parts occurs, the cam roller |15 will still be out of engagement with the cam face. Thus, it will be seen that the raising and lowering of the cam roller |15 will occur while the same is clear oi the cam face. As the parts approach the position d, the cam face will approach the cam roller |15, and, finally, when the protruding portion 222 reaches the roller, the catch mechanism will free the latter and allow it to pass into the control of the cam, all as previously explained, and as clearly indicated by the positions of the parts in Fig. 18.

Thus, the cycle of travel has been completed and the parts are again ready to perform a like series of operations. It will be apparent that each of the mechanisms G will operate in this way and consequently it will be possible to cap six bottles during each revolution of the head E and its capping mechanisms. llf for any reason one of the lifters D does not carry a bottle, then, obviously, the upward movement of the lifter by reason of the application of air under pressure will not force the associated capper frame upward, and, consequently, there will be no capping operation. Under such circumstances the rocker arm will remain in its outer position, being held by the catch mechanism until the same has made a complete revolution. It will then be in readiness to apply a cap to a new bottle should the same be properly presented. From these considerations of Figs. 3 and 4, we have seen how a bottle is placed upon a capper lifter and carried on through successive positions and nally delivered with a proper cap in its top, or held for subsequent service should a bottle be missing.

Obviously, the gear wheel 18 which drives the ring gear 16 located on the under side of the carrier C may be driven in any suitable way. In

the present instance the arrangement isylike that disclosed in our prior Patent Number 1,992,693 and need not be restated.l Similarly the machine will be provided with suitable legs and adjustable feet, one leg 223 and foot 22| only being shown.

In order to adapt the capper to bottles oi dii'- ferent sizes, some adjusting means must be employed. In the present instance, we employ the adjusting mechanism K which is substantially the same as the adjusting mechanism for alike purpose employed in our prior Patent Number 1,992,693. It provides lfor the raising and Iowering ot the supporting head E and the parts which are carried by it. In brief, this is done by raising and lowering the center rod 33 which passes up through the tubular standard 43 upq'n which the various capper parts are mounted. The lower end of the rod 33 terminates in a threaded reduced portion 223 and this reduced portion passes through a horizontal web 221 of an end member 223. Nuts 229 threaded 'upon the end 223 engage opposite sides of the web 221 to determine the a ustment between the rod 33 and the member 2 8. Besides being furnished with the web 221 the member 228 has an upper portion 233 which is provided with a central bore through which the lower end of the rod 33 passes. 'I'his structure strengthens the connection between the member223 and the rod 33 and yet allows for a nice adjustment of the parts relative to each other. The lower end of the member 228 has alined bosses 23| which receive bearing pins 232 which are secured to the bosses by transverse set screws 233, the outer ends o! the pins 232 being headed, in order to properly hold previously positionedlinks 234. Thus, the links have a pivotal connection with the lower endo! the member 228, one link b'eing on one side and the other on the other side. In a similar manner, the upper ends of the links 234 are connected to the bifurcated ends 235 of a crank arm v236, which is secured by suitable means to a shaft A231. Headed pins 238 provided with transverse holding pins 239 furnish the pivotal connection between the links 234 and the bifurcated arms 235, the shaft 231 is jurnaled in suitable supports such as hangers extending Idownward from the under side ofthe frame of the machine. One of these hangers, designated 240, is shown.

It will be apparent that by rocking the shaft 231 the central rod 33 may be moved up and down so as to adjust the head E and its associated mechanisms to bottles of dilerent heights. As before pointed out, the head'E is free to rotate relative to the rod 38 but must move up and down with it. The various parts by which thev shaft 231 may be rotated are notgiven herein. They are substantially the same as disclosed in our prior Patent No. 1,992,693.

'I'he ram or plunger comprises an upper portion 243 which has a diameter fitted to slidewithin the upper portion of the bore, of the member |3| of the vertically adjustable capper frame F. It will be noted that the lower portion of the bore in which the ram travels is of smaller diameter than the upper portion. Within the lower por-V tion a cylindrical head 244 is adapted to travel. Between the portions 243 and 244 of the ram there is a reduced portion 245 around which is coiled a compression spring 246. The latter bears at its upper end against a shoulder 241 formed on the under side of the portion 243 and at its lower shoulder 249 formed at the point where the diameter of the bore is decreased. This construction is such that the spring 246 acts between the ram on the one hand and the frame member |3| on the other.` When the frame is moved upward the spring 246 is compressed so as to allow a certain cushioning action when the bottles engage the frame member 232 and the cap is being applied.

In standardizing the ram structure the upper bore may be made the same for all machines. In such case the portion 243 of the ram would be likewise the same for all machines. The intermediate portion 245 and the projecting shank 250 formed integral with the rest of the ram may also be the same for all machines. end of the shank 250 is preferably threaded at 26|y to receive the head 244. The latter and the bore in which it travels may be made of different sizes to suit the size of the cap to be used. It is the cap size that governs. The head 244 is centrally apertured and threaded on its interior so as to be screwed upon the shank 250. The set screw 252 passing through a horizontal threaded opening in the head is adapted to engage a reduced portion of the shank 250 to hold the head in its proper position., The under side of the head -244 may be dished out to form a. recess 253 and the periphery of the same near its lower end may be cut away as indicated at 254 so as to provide space which will prevent jamming o1' the cap as it is shoved upward against the plunger and carried -on over the inclined face |42 and through the throat |4| into its nal position in the top of the bottle.

It will be clear that with this ram structure it is the head 244 which encounters the cap. Hence for caps of different sizes, heads of different diameters may be used, and then the lower end of the bore of the member |3| given a diameter to suit. Thus, to suit different orders, a minimum of work is required, the rest of the ram and frame being of the same construction for all machines.

It will be apparent that the machine will apply caps with tabs as well as caps without tabs. This has been mentioned in connection with the cap advancing blade |41 and the shape of its forward end. But it should also be noted that in the illustrations only disk caps are shown. These caps, forming the stack |39, are, as usual, placed in a container 220 and this container is turned bottom side up and passed down into the interior of the ovate magazine chamber |38 to occupy the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6. 'I'he container `22|, being intended for disk caps, is circular in cross section. If the container held tabbed caps then it would be more or less ovate in cross section to agree with the section of the magazine |38. In both cases the open end of the inserted carton or like container 220 stops short of the bottom of the magazine |30. Below this open end the inner walls of the magazine slope inward and downward to outlet openings 22| that are positioned and dimensloned so as to pass the tabs of double tabbed caps. The slope given the interior wall surfaces, indicated at 24| and 242, gives a s ort of bell-mouthed entrance for the tabs and if any caps should be alittle to one side, oil-center, so to speak, then they will, as they move downward, adjust themselves so that their tabs will be in alinement with the openings 22|. 'I'hen when each tab reaches the bottom of the stack it will be properly engaged by the blade |41 and advanced as it should be. ObvOllSlY.

The lower single tabbed caps, and a container for such caps, may be used if desired. In such event only one of the openings 22| and one pair of guiding walls 24| and 242 would come into play.

In the particular machine illustrated, provision is made for oiling the central standard by forcing lubricant into the central rod 38. For this purpose the rod 38 is tubular, having a central passage 255. At the lower end of the passage is a fitting 256 suited to receive the discharge nozzle of a grease gun. By means of the latter a suitable lubricant may be forced under pressure into the passage 255 and up throughthe same to its upper end. There two or more tubes 251 lead to points above the head |08 of the member |06, the one on the outside of a circular dam 258 and the other on the inside. The lubricant thus forced into the upper side of the head |08 will pass through the tubes 251 and on to the adjacent parts which require lubrication. 'I'hat supply of lubricant which goes to the inside of the darn 258 passes to the members which are innermost in the column structure while that supply which goes to the outside will lubricate the outer bearing surfaces. The latter include the contacting surfaces between the sleeve' member |06 and the sleeve portion of the cam member. A suitable annular groove 259 about the outside of the sleeve member |06 receives lubricant which passes down between the adjacent surfaces of the sleeves |06 and ||5. From this annular groove, the lubricant passes through one or more openings 260 and supplies members inward of the sleeve member I 06. Again, in the case of the bearing faces on the carrier head and the bearing numberL 55, which provide the main air valve faces, lubricant may be supplied through a pipe 264 on the under side of the member 55 and fed under pressure up through the passages 265 to the bearing faces and thus lubricate the latter. Obviously many forms of lubricating systems might be employed. What is here described is merely illustrative, and in itself forms no part of the present invention. The tubing at the top of the column of the machine is preferably protected by a cover 26| which ts at its lower edge about the hub of the cam member H and is apertured at its upper center to pass the upper threaded end of the rod 38. A plug 262 is threaded into the upper end of the rod 38 to close the bore thereof, the interior of the rod being threaded for the purpose. A cap nut 263 is threaded upon the outside of the protruding end of the rod 38 and bears down upon the cap 26| to hold it firmly in place.

It will be obvious from what has been said that in carrying out our invention still other forms may be employed than those set forth herein. It is therefore our aim to cover by the terms of the appended claims all those forms and alterations or modifications which rightly come within the spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim: v 1. A bottle capping machine comprising a ca applying ram, means for rotating said ram about a vertical axis, a. cap magazine, a cap advancing blade for removing caps from said magazine and to rock said shaft to and fro to actuate said blade, said cam having an extended face portion with less extended face portions adjacent thereto, said extended portion serving to engage said arm and move the same to an extreme position,l spring means tending to move said arm toward said cam, and catch mechanism for seizing and holding said armin said extreme position notwithstanding the withdrawal of the cam face from engagement with said arm as the` parts continue their rotation, said catch mechanism responding to an up and down movement of said frame on said ram to free said arm for subsequent engagement with said cam.

2. A bottle capping machine comprising a rotary supporting head, a cap applying ram car-` ried by said head, a cap magazine, a` cap advancing blade for removing caps from said'magazine and presentingthem, seriatim to said ram,y

a vertically movable frame carrying said maga- 'zine and blade, a rock shaft journaledin said frame, said shaft being operative `to actuate said blade to bring about said cap'advances, a rocker arm secured to said shaft, a stationary cam for actuating said arm to rock said shaft to and fro to actuate said blade as saidhead rotates, said cam having an extended face portion for engaging said rocker arm and less extended face portions adiacent thereto, said extended portion serving to move said arm to an extreme position, a main spring tending to move said arm toward said cam, a catch pin, a cooperating main catch stop, a second spring for yieldingly pressing said pin into position to engage said stop, said stop being beveled to allow said pin to pass the end of the stop and be held thereby in said extremeposition, said,

arm being thus held by said pin andstop in said extreme position independently of further travel of said head, said frame being movable upward with said rocker arm held free from the less extended face portions of saidcain, and means responsive to the subsequent downward movement of said frame to clear saidpin from said -stop thereby to free said arm forsubsequent operation.

3. A bottle capping machinev comprising a cap applying ram, a cap magazine, a cap advancing blade for removing caps fromsaid magazine and presenting them seriatim to said ram, a vertically movable frame, a rock shaft journaled in said frame, said shaft being operative to actuate said blade to bring about said cap advances, a rocker arm secured to said shaft, a cam for actuating said rocker arm to rock said shaft to and fro to actuate said blade, said cam having an extended face portion for engaging said rocker arm and less extended face portions adjacent thereto, said extended portionserving to move said arm to an extreme position, a main spring tending to move said arm toward said cam, a catch pin, a cooperating main catch stop, a second spring for yieldingly pressing said pin into position to engage said stop, said stop being beveled to allow said pin to pass said stop to hold said arm in said extreme position after said extended face portions of the cam and said rocker arm are disengaged, and an auxiliary stop supported independently of said vertically movable frame, said auxiliary stop being movable into a' set position in response to a movement of said arm and responsive subsequently to movements of said vertically movable frame to assume a freeing position in which it is operative to shift said pin to free said pin from said stop and thereby free said arm for subsequent operation under the influence of said main spring.

4. yIn a bottle capping machine, cap positioning and applying `mechanism comprising a cap applying ram, a frame mounted for vertical movement onr said ram, a cap advancing blade, a rock shaft carrying said blade, a spring retracted rocker arm for actuating said rock shaft and blade, and a cam for moving said armvagainst the action of said spring to bring said arm to an extreme position, said cam being located a iixed distance above said ram, in combination with catch mechanism for seizing and holding said arm in said extreme position out of the subsequent control of said cam during an upward movement of said frame, said catch mechanism comprising a spring pressed catch pin, a cooperating beveled stopV operative to receive lsaid pin upon its beveled face and under the said movement of said arm to compress the spring of said pin and allow said pin to slip into holding position against an abrupt face of said stop, and means responsive'to the subsequent downward movement of 'said frame to clear said pin-from said stop thereby to place said arm again under y,

said arm to an extreme position, in combination with catch mechanism for `seizing and holding said arm in said extreme position,- said `catch mechanism comprising a spring pressed catch pin,

a cooperating beveled stop -operativetc .receive said pinupon its beveled face and vunder the h said movement-of said arm to compress the spring V, l of said pin and allow said pin to slip into'holdingl position against an abrupt `face of saidstop, andy means responsive to the movements of `said vertically. movable frame to again compress the spring of said pin and withdraw said beveled stop from engagement with said pin whilethe sprlngofv the latter remains in compressed condition thereby to free said arm for further control by said-cam.

6. In a bottle capping machine, cap positioning and applying mechanism comprising a vertically movable` frame, a springv retracted rocker arm carried by said frame, and a cam for moving said arm against the action of said spring to bring said arm to an extreme position,in combination with catch mechanism for seizing and holding said arm in said extreme position, said catch mechanism comprising a spring pressed catch pin, a cooperating beveled stop operative to receive said pin upon its beveled face and under the said movement of said arm to compress the spring of said pin and allow said pin to slip into a latching position against an abrupt face of said stop, and an auxiliary stop supported independently of said vertically movable frame, said ,aurdliary stop being movable, ilrst, into set position by the movement of said pin and stop into said latching position and, second, into catch freeing position by movements of said vertically movable frame to liberate said arm for subsequent operation under the control of said cam. I

'7. In a bottle capping machine, cap positioning and applying mechanism comprising a vertically movable frame, a spring retracted rocker arm carried by said frame, and a cam for moving said arm against the action of said spring to bring said arm to an extreme position, in combination with catch mechanism for seizing and holding said arm in said extreme position, said catch mechanism comprising a spring pressed catch pin on said arm, a cooperating beveled stop carried by said vertically movable frame and operative to receive'said pin upon its beveled face and under the said movement of said arm to compress the spring of said pin and allow said pin to slip into holding position against an abrupt face of said stop, a support independent of said vertically movable frame, and a weighted auxiliary stop pivoted to said support and having a protruding end adapted to be engaged by said catch pin as the latter advances upon said beveled face, said engagement setting said stop member `inL abnormal' position, said auxiliary stop being freed from saidA pin upon upward movement of said vertically movable frame and rocker arm so as to drop back intonormal stopping position beneath said pin, the pin being blocked by said protruding end as said frame and arm move downward and being held until said beveled stop moves downward out of the return path of said arm, whereupon said arm is freed for subsequent operation under the control of said cam.

8. A bottle capping machine including a vertical ram, a capper frame mounted upon and movable to and fro lengthwise of said ram, a vertical rock shaft journaled in said frame, a cap magazine, a cap advancing blade securedv to the lower end of said shaft.an actuating arm mounted on said shaft, forward and back stops for limiting respectively the forward and return movements of said shaft and blade, a first spring operative between said frame and shaft to advance said blade, a second spring operative between said arm and shaft to permit said arm to have a further return movement beyond that a1- lowed by said back stop, said second spring being stronger than said first spring, catch mechanism for holding said arm in a position sufficiently retracted to place both of said springs in service, said catch mechanism being operative in response tomovements of said frame to free said arm, and a cam mounted independently voi said from said catch mechanism.

capper frame for actuating said arm when freed 9. A bottlecapping machineinclu'ding a capper frame, a tabbed cap magazine carried by said frame, a ram chamber' ,and a lram therein adjacent to said magazine, a channel formed in said frame of a size and location to pass caps V. from the bottom of a stack of' capsin said magazne to a cap applying position in line with said ram, and a cap advancing blade movableto yand froto advance said caps seriatimalong said channel, as aforesaid, the forward end of said b1ade having' tw'o ledges for the lowermost cap to rest upon as the blade advances, also shoulders extending above said ledges for engaging the rear edge of the lowermost cap as it is being forwarded, the upper surfacey of the blade to the rear of said shoulders serving to support the acp stack in the magazine as the lowermost cap is being advanced away from said stack, also a recess below the level of said ledges and between them for a tab on the lowermost cap to enter as the cap is` beingA forwarded, .said recess being wide enough to readily. embrace a cap tab and thereby allow said ledges and shoulders to properly act upon the cap edge on either side of 'the tab.

10. A bottle capping machine including a capper frame, a tabbed cap magazine carried by said frame, a ram chamber and a ram therein adjacent to saidmagazine, a channel formed in said frame of a size and location to pass caps from the bottom of a stack of caps in said magazine to a cap applying position in line with said ram, A

and a cap advancing blade movable to and fro to advance said caps seriatim along said channel as aforesaid, the forward end of said blade having two ledges for the lowermost cap to rest upon as the blade advances, also shoulders extending above said ledges fortherear edge oi' the lowermost cap to engage as it is being forwarded, the upper surfaceof the blade to the rear of said shoulders serving to support the cap stack in the magazine as the' lowermost cap is being advanced away from saidv stack, also a recess below the .level of said ledges and between them for receiving a tab on the lowermost cap as the cap is being forwarded, also an inclined surface at the forward end of said blade leading up to theforward edge 'of said recess, said recess being large enough to readily embrace a cap tab and thereby allow said ledges'and shoulders to properly act upon the cap edge on either side of the tab and the inclined surface at the forward end oi' the blade serving especially to guide a cap having wire staples at its tab roots.

LEWIS E. FAG'AN. ALBERT B. MOJONNIER. 

